Bow-banner-2024

Becoming an Outdoors Woman (BOW)

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​LET'S GET OUTDOORS!


​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Program (BOW) is an international program sponsored in part by the KDFWR and other partners including Kentucky State Parks and the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Foundation. BOW is designed primarily for adult age women interested in building confidence and outdoor skills relevant in hunting and shooting sports.BOW Logo

Workshops range from 1-3 day events and are held at various locations across Kentucky. Come find out why thousands of women have already participated in this unique opportunity to learn more about hunting and shooting sports, and wildlife-related adventures in the Bluegrass State!


The BOW workshops are for you if...

  • You have never tried these activities, but have hoped for an opportunity to learn.
  • You are a beginner who hopes to improve your skills.
  • You know how to do some of these activities, but would like to try your hand at some new ones.
  • You are just looking for the camaraderie of like-minded individuals.

Some of the classes held at most workshops are...

  • Basics of Archery
  • Wild Game Cooking
  • Introduction to Wild Mushrooms
  • Survival in the Outdoors
  • Edible Wild Plants
  • Basics of Hunting in KY
  • Pistol Safety
  • Basic Rifle Use and Safety
  • Tree Identification
  • Basic Shotgun and Safety
  • Wildlife ID and Game Tracking

Conducted by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Department of Parks, the Cooperative Extension Service, and the University of Kentucky.

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Contact Us!

Megan Bagby
BOW Program ​Coordinator
Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
1 Sportsman's Lane
Frankfort, KY 40601
(502) 401-6101 | Agency: 1-800-858-1549

Email Updates

Subscribe to our mailing list to receive for updates on Becoming An Oudoors Woman!

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2025 Upcoming Events​


​Annie Oakley Day - Beyond BOW Event

Date: June 14, 2025​ - 8am-noon (Eastern)
Location: Fern Creek Sportsman's Club, Louisville Kentucky
Cost: Free, Participants need a valid KY Fishing License

Hosted by Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources and Fern Creek Sportsmen's Club, this will be an unintimidating and informative introduction to fishing, archery, basic rifles (.22 caliber), and shotguns. This event is design for ladies to gain confidence with firearms in a safe environment surrounded by other like-minded individuals!

In this event you will learn more about:


Fishing


Achery


22 Rifles


Shotguns


This event is open to all women 18 years and ol​​der. Participants who are 16 or 17 years of age can attend and register for the event, but they must attend and register with a female attendee who is at least 18 years and older.

The event is free to attend but participants must have a valid fishing license at the day of the event! A hunting or ​fishing license can be purchased on our ​ License and Permit Fees page. 

Find us on Facebook!  

Registration is now full. Please sign up for our waitlist.



Fall BOW Weekend Workshop

2025 Fall BOW Workshop Registration - Waitlist

If you have any questions, please contact: 

Megan Bagby, BOW Program Coordinator​​

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 Email: megan.bagby@ky.gov​​
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​​​Phone: ​502-401-6101

Please check the Facebook page or emails via the mailing list for more updates. ​

WAITLIST REGISTRATION

Dates: August 15-17, 2025
Location: Camp Currie, in Benton, Kentucky

Our Annual BOW Weekend is now happening at Camp Currie on August 15-17!​

Please note the change of date from September to August this year.

This is our annual BOW Weekend Workshop that we offer every year for women 18 years and up. Participants will be able to sign up for 4 classes. Each class is roughly 3 hours long. Registration fee also covers meals and lodging for the weekend.​

Participants can sleep in a bunkhouse or bring their own tent/hammock. Ev​eryone has access to use the bathhouses. A registration link will be posted on this website, posted on our Facebook page (@kentuckybow) and sent out in our email list.​​​ Mark your calendars and get ready for another incredible weekend of outdoor adventure, skill-building, and fun! ​

Becoming an Outdoors Woman



2024 BOW Workshop Pictures​​ ​ - Photograph from the event as submitted by participants.


group of women working on a field​​​  ​​​​
An instructor showing a person shooting down a rifle range ​​
A hand holding a small butterfly​​​
An instructor teaching a group while holding up a plant​ ​​​​
Megan O. teaching a group of people in a woods 
Megan O. teaching a group of people in a woods 
A woman shooting an genisis bow 
A woman pulling arrows out of a target
Rachel Crume giving water to her dog sheba 
Hands holding up a box turtle to a group of people 
A group photograph showing six women smiling for the camera 
a group of seven women holding rifles and squirrel targets
a hand holding up a tagged monarch butterfly 
Students firing bows in an archery course 
a group of people standing around a display table listening to a speaking instructor 
People getting instruction under a structure 
An open notebook with notes ​
Ashley R holding up a processed squirrel 
Women casting on the edge of a shoreline ​
different foraging materials on a table 
a group of eight women holding up plants next to an planted garden